Ken Mack was handing in his protest at 10 Downing Street

Ken Mack, 65, of Wrexham, says the care home closures threaten the lives of thousands of residents who are then forced into the private sector.

Mr Mack claimed councils were moving elderly people into the private sector.

The council said financial constraints mean it cannot continue providing residential care in its current form.

Mr Mack's protest comes as the last remaining Wrexham Council-run homes look set to close.

He describes the situation as "appallingly bad," adding: "In recent years thousands of disabled and frail and vulnerable elderly have been evicted from their care homes.

"Many have been reported as dying within days, clearly due to the stress trauma and upheaval of the closure of their care home."

Bobby Barnes, assistant chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, accompanied Mr Mack on his visit to Downing Street.

Protesters have campaigned to keep both Wrexham homes open

Three years ago Mr Mack collected more than 26,000 signatures on a petition calling for a Bill of Rights for all frail and elderly people, who he says have no legal redress from being evicted from care homes.

He is also currently campaigning against the proposed closure of Nant Silyn and Llys Madoc homes in Wrexham, which are poised to shut as part of a review of care for the elderly in the county.

At a special meeting on Monday, Labour councillors raised a motion calling for the closures to be reconsidered - but the motion was defeated by the controlling Liberal democrat coalition.

Following that meeting, Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones said: "Those in control of Wrexham Council have ignored a chance to reconsider their proposals to close Llys Madoc and Nant Silyn elderly persons homes.

"I am disappointed, as it was a missed opportunity. The motion simply asked for reconsideration of the proposals."

He added: "Sadly, they have chosen to limit the options available to our elderly people, when they most need it."

The council said It wants more people cared for in their own homes - under a scheme known as Extra Care.

Council leader Aled Roberts said: "Elderly people tell us they would like to be cared for in their own homes and we want to be able to help them.

"Whilst we remain in this situation we are unable to do so."

He added: "This is a difficult issue but we need to be able to provide support for the ever-increasing number of elderly people who rely on support from our social services department."